In third snub to India, Maldives signs big power deal with Pakistan

July 07, 2018 16:04

The relationship between India and Maldives continue to remain strained with the Maldivian government trying its best to undermine Indian influence in its land. After the helicopter and work permit snub, Male has now signed a capacity-building agreement in the power sector with Pakistan.

According to a report in The Times of India, officials of the Maldives state electricity company, Stelco, visited Pakistan last week and signed an MoU for cooperation in "institution-building" activities. The timing of the MoU is significant for India as it comes when Male has stopped issuing work permits to Indians delaying work on projects being handled by India like the construction of a police academy.

The report stated that Indian officials in New Delhi are struggling to figure out what Male wants from Pakistan when Stelco's all major projects are already being handled by Chinese companies.

"Given its precarious financial situation, Pakistan cannot do much to help Maldives. But President Yameen is trying his best to reduce Indian footprint and bring in elements hostile to India to undermine Indian influence in Maldives," TOI quoted an Indian official as saying.

One reason why Maldives has dragged its feet on India's proposal for deploying a Dornier surveillance aircraft on its territory is said to be its consideration of an offer of a similar aircraft from Pakistan.

While Male has again reminded India that the deadline for removing its naval choppers has expired, it has remained evasive on accepting India's Dornier aircraft offered in 2016.

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